Pacific Progressive

Low Cost Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinics - May and July

Have you fallen behind on vaccinations for your cat or vaccinations and licensing on your dog? The City of Rancho Santa Margarita wants you to catch up at its next Dog and Cat Vaccination Clinic! 

The clinics are held at the Bell Tower Regional Community Center in Rancho Santa Margarita from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every other month. The next two clinics are scheduled for May 5 and July 7. No appointment is needed; pets are treated on a first-come, first-served basis. Dogs must be on leashes and cats must be in carriers. Owners 18 year of age or older must accompany their pets. For more information, visit www.cityofrsm.org.

Call Vector Control and Tell Them No Private Pest Control Companies

 The Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD) helps to control little critters who carry diseases.  (These animals are called "disease vectors" because they move the disease around, hence the name.)  If you have a problem with a dead bird and there is West Nile Virus in the area, you call Vector Control.  Same thing for a neighbor who won't take care of their pool which is now a mosquito farm - call Vector Control and they will work with the neighbor so you don't have to.

A plan is being considered to privatize rat control services. Currently, if you see rats around, Vector Control will come out and give you (for free!) traps and bait and show you how to properly use them. They will also help you find the openings the rodents are using to get into your house and show you how to close them off.

These services are paid by an assessment of about $6.98 per year per residence in the County.  Taxpayers are able to get a lot for their $6.98.

Now, some members of the Vector Control board want to let private extermination companies (Terminix, Orkin, Truly Nolen are some common names) provide the rat control services. The plan is to send the companies out on calls to homes to provide the rat control services to the home owners.  Then, the pest control company can then sell the homeowner services to control pests on the inside of the home.

Smell a rat?  Does turning Vector Control into a marketing company for private pest control companies sound like a bad deal to you?  Call and write your representative on the Vector Control District. Each of the 34 incorporated cities has a representative. If you live in the unincorporated areas, your rep is Supervisor John Moorlach.

The representatives for each area are listed.  If you have a relationship with them, please use that to tell them "No to Private Pest Control Companies."  You can also call, fax and write them at the Vector Control Board.  Sending faxes works very well because it creates a paper trail of who objects and carries more weight than an email.

Orange County Vector Control District (OCVCD), 13001 Garden Grove Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92843

Phone 714-971-2421 949-654-2421  Fax 714-971-3940

Aliso Viejo - Mayor Phillip B. Tsunoda 

Low Cost Pet Vaccination Clinic - March 3

Provided by the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association 

Bring your dog or cat to the Bell Tower Regional Community Center for a variety of vaccination services for a fraction of the usual vet cost. Services include rabies, DHLPP, bordatella, FVRCPC, and AVID chipping. OC Animal Care will also be onsite offering animal licensing services.   The clinic will be on Wednesday, March 3, 2010 from 7:00 - 8:30 PM.

For more information call 949.216.9700.

Imported Water Supply Shutdown - Jan 25-31

San Juan Capistrano is urging residents and businesses to conserve water by ceasing landscape watering and car washing while its imported water supplier shuts down its plant for a week this month.  The shutdown also impacts other cities in south Orange County.

The Diemer Filtration Plant, the Yorba Linda-based water treatment plant that serves South County, is expected to perform necessary maintenance and upgrades from Jan. 25 through Jan. 31. The facility, owned and operated by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD), provides much of all of South County's potable water needs through two regional water pipelines.

The City's groundwater recovery plant, which began operation in December 2004, will help offset impacts of the waterline shutdown that will leave much of south Orange County with little or no imported water. However, the shutdown affects the City's major supply line for all potable (drinkable) water entering the City, and San Juan Capistrano needs to conserve in order to maintain supplies in its reservoirs for drinking, sanitary uses and firefighting.

$2 Rides to Medical Appointments for South County Seniors

South County Senior Services' senior non-emergency medical transportation program has available funding to transport seniors to and from their non-emergency medical appointments. 

Eligible trips include non-emergency medical appointments such as physical therapy, dialysis, chemotherapy, radiation, dentistry, x-rays, prescription pickup and regular physicians' checkups. The program is available to qualified participants for a fee of $2 per one-way trip.

To use the service, participants must be at least 60 years of age, ineligible for Orange County Transportation Authority's ACCESS Services and reside within the South Orange County designated service area. This includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Irvine, Laguna Woods, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Hills, Laguna Beach, Lake Forest, Foothill Ranch, Mission Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Newport Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Capistrano Beach.

Individuals who are currently utilizing OCTA ACCESS, and are in a frail medical condition, which creates a hardship, may be granted a waiver and be allowed to use the SNEMT Program.

Participants can take trips to medical facilities within the designated service area. The program will also serve Kaiser Anaheim (Lakeview), UCI Medical Center in Orange, St. Joseph's Hospital of Orange and the Long Beach Veterans Hospital. Rides are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Program participants are required to register before using the service and are urged to contact the program coordinator as soon as possible to obtain the necessary enrollment forms.

"The senior non-emergency medical transportation program is essential to provide seniors the ability to retain their independence while aging in their homes," said Chief Operating Officer Dan Palumbo.

Contact South County Senior Services at 949-855-8033.

OCTA Looking to Eliminate Routes - Give OCTA Feedback on These Proposals

OCTA is looking to restructure bus service to fit the available budget. Staff has prepared several proposals for bus service reductions and have taken the presentations to public meetings to get input.  OCTA has also bought ads and put comment cards on buses to get feedback on proposals.  

If you use one of these buses, please tell OCTA what will happen if the bus is no longer available to you. These routes are targeted for possible elimination.  When you buy a bus pass, drop off a comment card or a letter.  Attend the public meeting on October 26 at 9 AM at OCTA headquarters in Orange. Fill out a comment card and drop it in the mail. But, please, for your sake, let OCTA know if these bus service cuts will impact you.  If your school is impacted, have your teachers, professors, principals and deans call.  If your business is impacted, have the managers and human resources department call OCTA to let them know this is a problem.

The routes listed for elimination are given below, along with the major landmarks along the route.  If implemented, the routes will be eliminated starting in March 2010.

Route 20 - La Habra to Yorba Linda via Imperial Highway - Yorba Linda Middle School, Yorba Linda Community Center, Downtown Yorba Linda, Brea Gateway Center, Brea Promenade, Brea Mall, Imperial Middle School, La Habra Marketplace

Route 21 - Fullerton to Huntington Beach via Valley View St/Bolsa Chica Rd - Buena Park High School, John F. Kennedy High School, Centerpointe, Cypress High School, Cypress College, Hilton D. Bell Intermediate School, Marina High School, Boeing, Huntington Beach Industrial Area, Sunset Beach

Fire Departments Have Open Houses This Weekend

National Fire Prevention Week is during October 5 thru October 10.  Visit a firehouse near you during this weekend during an Open House. These events are always a favorite with the kids because they get to meet firefighters, see the firetrucks close up, and learn what an important job firefighting is.  The firefighters also teach families and business owners how to protect themselves and their loved ones in the case of emergency.

All events are on Saturday, October 10, 2009 unless noted.

Aliso Viejo OCFA Station #57, 57 Journey from 9 AM to 2 PM.

Anaheim from 10 AM to 2 PM at:

Euclid Fire Station #6 - 1330 S Euclid

Stadium Fire Station #7 - 2222 E Ball Rd

Weir Canyon Fire Station - 8270 E Monte Vista

Twila Reid Fire Station - 3078 W Orange

Brea from 10 AM - 2 PM at Fire Station #2, park in downtown parking structure and walk across Brea Blvd using the signal at Ash St

Buena Park OCFA Station #61, 8081 Western Ave from 9 AM - 2 PM

Costa Mesa  from 10 AM to 2 PM at:

Station #1 - 2803 Royal Palm Drive

Station #2 - 800 Baker St

Station #3 - 1865 Park St

Station #4 - 2300 Placentia Ave

Station #5 - 2450 Vanguard Way

Station #6 - 3350 Sakioka Dr

Cypress OCFA Station #17 - 4991 Cerritos Ave from 9 AM - 2 PM

Dana Point OCFA Fire Station #30 - 23831 Stonehill Dr from 9 AM - 2 PM

OC Register 2nd Worst Person in the World for Sports Column Mocking Jaycee Dugard's Captivity and Rape

Here is the original post by Mark Whicker. This never should have been printed, never. Baseball is more important than the kidnap, rape and years long captivity of a child. Whicker should resign or be fired.  And the Hoile family wonders why people don't want to read their paper?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

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September 19 is Coastal and Inner-Coastal Watershed Clean-Up Day

Saturday, September 19, is the statewide Coastal Cleanup and the 13th Annual Inner Coastal and Watershed Cleanup Day. Many cities, agencies and organizations participate in this yearly event to build awareness of how trash and debris clog our local creeks, beaches, ponds and watersheds.

Local organizers for the event include the Ocean Conservancy and Trails4All.  Trails4All has a list of clean-up activities on the website.  Sign up thru your city or the OC Parks and Recreation department.

Local cities and areas participating in include Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Black Star Canyon, Brea, Buena Park, Canyon View Park,  Costa Mesa, Dana Paoint, Fullerton, Glenwood/Glenbrook Park,  Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Hill, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, La Habra, Lake Forest, La Palma,Long Beach, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, O'Neill Regional Park, Orange, Rancho Santa Margarita, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Ana, Seal Beach, Silverado-Modjeska Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Westminster, Yorba Linda, Yorba Regional Park.  

Keeping trash and litter out of the water makes the areas more user friendly and saves the lives of animals. Many animals die each year after consuming trash which they think is food. Take a few hours on Saturday, September 19 and help clean up Orange County beaches, creeks, parks, and canyons.

They Came and They Left Without Even a Whisper

from CanYouBeAngryAndStillDream at Daily Kos

On Monday night our club The Canyon Democrats had a meeting on Health Care.  There were more than the usual RSVPs to our meetings and one was suspicious after we searched on the names supplied. Using several sources including a DKos diary or two we talked about how to handle disruptions.

A few didn't even supply names. We were hoping for some protesters. After everyone was in place we counted 50 people.

We think that engaging them is best. If they truly want to learn then we can help. If they come to disrupt then they are exposed for what they are. No one really believes the things that they come up with.

Read the whole story about a health care meeting in Mission Viejo.

Health Care Event Sponsored by Canyon Democratic Club

Join the Canyon Democrats on Monday, August 17 as they welcome Toni Sullivan, RN, EdD, retired dean and nursing professor, as she helps you understand the issues about health care reform and delivery. 

The event is at the Norman Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo, CA from 7 - 9 PM.

$63 Million Increase in Taxes Approved by Board of Supervisors

The Orange County Board of Supervisors approved increases for Community Facility Districts (CFD) associated with Mello-Roos bonds.  Mello-Roos districts have become the preferred way to finance improvements for fire stations, schools, sidewalks, and recreational facilities in newly developed areas.

The areas impacted by this $63 million increase include Aliso Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, Foothill Ranch, Los Alisos, Baker Ranch, Santa Teresita, Ladera Ranch, Mission Viejo, Portola Hills, Dimension Business Park, Lomas Laguna and Coto de Caza.

These estimated over $63 million increases was approved on Tuesday, August 2, by the Board of Supervisors.  These tax increases are in addition to and separate from any HOA dues.

Aliso Viejo CFD No. 88-1     $15,653,237

Baker Ranch CFD No. 87-6   $927,622

Coto de Caza CFD No. 87-8      $2,502,220

Dimensions Business Park CFD No. 87-1    $615,005

MWDOC Open Seat - Division 6 - How to Apply

Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC) has a vacant seat which will be filled by appointment. The vacant seat is in Division 6.  

Where is Division 6?

MWDOC Division 6 covers Santa Margarita Water District, Trabuco Canyon Water District, Santiago County Water District, and part of Irvine Ranch Water District.  Eligible zip codes include parts of: 92602, 92610, 92618, 92620, 92630, 92673, 92675, 92676, 92679, 92688,  92691, 92692, 92694,  92780, 92782,  92862, 92869.  Check your eligibility with the Registrar of Voters. 

Who is Eligible?

•  At least 18 years old.
• A citizen of the State of California
• Registered to vote in Division 6 and qualified to vote for the office

• Eligible to take oath of office

How to Apply

Submit a letter, resume, letters of reference, and other biographical materials of your choosing. However, the MWDOC Board asks your consider the time it has to complete the selection process and keep your submissions brief and specific.  The Board requests that you adhere to many of the same guidelines that would apply to a Candidate's Statement submitted for this office:

• Include name, age, occupation
• Discuss your education and qualifications
• Do not reference your party affiliation, if any, or membership or activity in partisan political organizations
• Make no reference to another potential appointee 

OCTA Transit Cuts

http://www.octa.net

Here's a list of what is being cut by the OCTA during 2009.  This is very, very long (about 20+ pages if you're printing it.)

Summary of OCTA June & September 2009 Service Cuts

(Does not include Night Owl Service discontinuation.)

May 28, 2009

Prepared by Reggie Mundekis, [email protected]

What is Impacted

154 Schools & Colleges 

53 Shopping Centers

27 Medical Facilities

40 Employers & Office Parks

52 Government Facilities

52 Recreation & Other Facilities

32 Transportation Centers & Connectors 

OCTA Cutting Our Chances of Economic Recovery - Pt 2

OCTA  http://www.octa.net/ will make more cuts in September 2009, in addition to the June 2009 cuts.  This round of cuts will impact your ability to get to:

• 129 Schools and Colleges 
• 43 Shopping Centers, Malls, and Shopping Districts 
• 19 Hospitals and Medical Facilities 
• 32 Employers and Office Parks 
• 39 Civic Centers, Senior Centers , Libraries and other Government facilities
• 24 Park & Rides and Transit Connectors 
• 40 Parks, Beaches and other destinations

These cuts make it difficult to get to work, go to school, obtain medical care, go shopping for food and clothing, get books from a public library, get to a park or beach, and conduct business with the government.  If you depend on the bus, you are slowly being cut off from being able to compete in our local economy.

Trip Frequency and Service Reductions Starting September 2009

Starting in September 2009, replan your trip if you need to get to these destinations.  You can still get there, but it may be tricky, depending on when you need to be there, how long you need to stay, and what other connections you need to make to arrive at your final destination.  Here are the details: